Hats Storytime

HATS!! All types of hats was the fun theme of this week's Storytime.

More pictures of this and other events can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/kassonlibrary/

Wednesday, September 16th

Children's Librarian Ingvild reads all about hats.








Working on hats.











Finished hats!

Tuesday, Sept 15

Children's Librarian Ingvild reads all about hats.
Children's Librarian Ingvild read stories about hats and all the fun you can have wearing different types of hats. Over thiry children and their familes came to hear the stories and do the exciting crafts.

Today the children made newspaper hats and decorated them to suit their own unique personality.

KM Nursery Group Hats Storytime 91509

HATS!! All types of hats was the fun theme of today's storytime.
Children's Librarian Ingvild read stories about hats and all the fun you can have wearing different types of hats. KM Nursery Group come every Tuesday afternoon to hear the stories and do the exciting crafts.




Today the children made newspaper hats and decorated them to suit their own unique personality.

Finished hats!


More pictures of this and other events can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/kassonlibrary/

Enriching the World with Everyday Service

Today’s post is courtesy of the lovely Angela C. I’m a huge fan of incorporating service into everyday life, so I love her ideas here and hope you do as well.

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”- Anne Frank

What does service mean to you? For some of us, we immediately think of people like Mother Theresa, who sacrificed her entire life for less fortunate people, or Bill Gates who donated billions of dollars to to cure diseases. We think of professions such as a nurse, doctor, and teacher.

But the reality is that you don’t have to be a millionaire, a doctor, or an everyday volunteer to be of service to humanity. You don’t have to save lives, or donate 50 percent of your salary to a charity. Being of service simply means making the world a better place, even if it’s just for one person. Here are some simple ways we can be of service every single day.

1. Smile and say hi.
It may sound cheesy, but trying smiling more often, even if it’s on a Monday morning commute. You never know whose day it may cheer up. Strike up conversations with strangers, and give them compliments. When I was depressed a few years ago, I remembered a day when someone came up, and remarked on how beautiful my hairstyle was. It didn’t end my depression, but I immediately felt great about myself that whole week.When you smile and live your life with energy, it can be contagious. Offices are terrific examples of this. If everyone looks depressed, work is boring. If people start joking and laughing, suddenly work doesn’t feel like drudgery. We can all agree we all want to be happy, otherwise what’s the point of living? Make someone happy, and you’ve made their lives joyful.

2. Talk to an old friend.
It’s amazing how often we lose in touch with old friends. Take a few minutes to call someone this week that you haven’t talked to in awhile. It feels refreshing to get a phone call or a letter from someone who simply states “I’m calling b/c it’s been a long time since we’ve talked.” It is touching to know there is someone out there who is thinking about me.

3. Organize a social event.
What better way to make others happy than to organize a social event such as a dinner party, or bowling night? Don’t just invite the same old friends—mix it up a little. Invite your co-workers, your close friends, a relative, and tell them to invite friends of their own. Helping others make new friends is invaluable. And it’s also a great way to network, and broaden your connections. Sounds like a win-win situation.
4. Teach someone a skill.
We all have unique abilities and skills to share with others, so share them! If you’re great at computers, perhaps you can help install anti-virus software in your friend’s computer, or offer to upgrade their software. If you’re good at editing, you could help edit your friend’s resumes and give them feedback. If some of your friends are thinking of starting a business, give them some assistance. See if your local community center, or retirement home needs someone to teach people skills. Share your passions with others. I know someone who gives free yoga lessons every weekend at the local park. How would you feel if someone discovered an activity that made their lives happier because of you?

5. Mentor someone.
You could sign up to be a mentor in the Boys and Girls Club. Even if you have a hour to spare each weekend, that’s better than nothing. But even if you don’t want to be a professional mentor, you either have children, or have relatives that are children. When you’re around them, be a good example to them.

6. Donate blood.

7. Listen and give the glory to someone else.
Most of us don’t listen when we have a conversation. Sure we may hear the words coming out of their mouth, but in our minds, we are thinking of a witty comeback, or a story to tell. To truly listen means thinking about what the person is really saying, and why he is saying it. Instead of retorting with a clever reply, why not give the glory to the person talking? Ask deeper questions that show you’re interested in what he/she has to say. Let people talk about their passions. They’ll think you’re a wonderful person.

8. Help a friend with health, wealth, or love issues.
It may sound simplistic, but the main concerns people have center around health, wealth, or love. So if you can help them with any of those three areas, you just made their life so much better. If your friend wants to lose weight, help him/her with diet choices, and workout choices. If a friend is looking for a relationship, ask around and see if you know any other single friends. If a friend has no clue how to invest, explain to him the principles of compound interest. Service is not just limited to donating millions to charity or building homes in Africa. You don’t have to wait until you’re retired or rich to start being of service. It is something we can do every single day. Even a simple act such as being a good friend, or smiling will make the world a better place.

http://www.onsimplicity.net/2009/09/enriching-the-world-with-everyday-service/

Make Life Luxurious–Without the Complication

It’s a common saying that integrity is doing the right thing when no one’s there to notice. In that same vein, I think that luxury might be enjoying impressive things when no one is around to notice.

Do you ever:
Save your best new shirt for an important occasion?

Pull out your stylish glassware only for company?

Wear your nice PJs for when you might be seen?

Own guest towels that are way nicer than the ones you use on a daily basis?

A Little Luxury Goes a Long Way
Consider switching your routines up and save your best luxuries for the privacy of your own home, on your own time. It doesn’t take any extra money, so no worries about blowing your disposable income for the month on a whim. And it doesn’t take any time out of your life either.

Enjoying your pre-existing treats on your own time is about the least complicated way to make your life luxurious without any complication. It’s really just a matter of chucking self-imposed limitations out the window.

The hardest part, really, is getting used to treating yourself. It feels positively sinful to “waste” those perfectly good items on just yourself, doesn’t it? (I just about broke into hives when I started using my “good” Fiestaware for everyday use. By the time I actually broke a mug, it was almost a relief to get it over with.)

Remember: It’s Just Stuff, and You’re Worth It
There’s a good chance that most of us have a few luxurious, treasured, or special items tucked away, waiting to be pulled out to impress the right person. Guess what? You are the right person!
When there’s no one around to compliment your excellent taste or burn with jealousy at your cool possessions, you can truly start enjoying things for their genuine qualities, not their perceived value. Not only are you upgrading your life a notch without any real work, you can start to let go of the need to impress others.
What’s the worst that could happen? You might actually get the full usage out of an item before it wears out? You might enjoy your favorite possessions and rituals? Hmm. Sounds like dangerous living in the best possible way…

What do you think? Does luxury have to be shared or showed to be enjoyed? If an expensive bottle of champagne is consumed in private, does it still taste as good?

On Simplicity website.

http://www.onsimplicity.net/2009/06/make-life-luxurious-without-the-complication/

September New Books (additional)

Vanishing Act By Fern Michaels
For the women of the Sisterhood, planning a lavish reception for their longtime ally, attorney Lizzie Fox, at their lux mountain retreat is the ideal way to unwind after their latest successful mission. The only cloud over the happy occasion is that their mentor, Charles, is still mysteriously absent.But amid the friendly bickering about floral arrangements, cake tiers, and wedding favors, the ladies of Pinewood receive a frantic phone call from Nikki’s fiancé, Jack Emery. Harry Wong – Yoko’s true love and a staunch supporter of the Sisterhood – has become the victim of a ruthless identity theft ring. Harry’s bank accounts have been closed out, his beloved dojo is being foreclosed, and he’s being evicted. Distraught, Yoko is about to rush down the mountain to Harry’s aid when the Sisters intercept her. A situation like Harry’s requires finesse, careful planning, and the Sisterhood’s distinctive brand of vigilante justice…


Spartan Gold by Clive Cussler 9/1
Thousands of years ago, two superpowers of the ancient world went to war, and a treasure of immeasurable value was lost to the shadows of history.

In 1800, while crossing the Pennine Alps with his Grand Reserve Army, Napoleon Bonaparte stumbled across a startling discovery. Unable to transport it, he created an enigmatic map on the labels of twelve bottles of rare wine. When Napoleon died, the bottles disappeared-and the treasure was lost again.

Until now. Treasure-hunting husband-and-wife team Sam and Remi Fargo are exploring the Great Pocomoke Swamp in Maryland when they are shocked to discover a World War II German U-boat. Inside, they find a bottle taken from Napoleon's famous "Lost Cellar," and fascinated, they set out to find the rest of the collection. But another connoisseur of sorts is hunting his own prize, and the Lost Cellar is his key to finding it.



The Last Song by Nichaolas Sparks 9/8
Seventeen year old Veronica "Ronnie" Miller's life was turned upside-down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York City to Wilmington, North Carolina. Three years later, she remains angry and alientated from her parents, especially her father...until her mother decides it would be in everyone's best interest if she spent the summer in Wilmington with him. Ronnie's father, a former concert pianist and teacher, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will become the centerpiece of a local church.
The tale that unfolds is an unforgettable story of love on many levels--first love, love between parents and children -- that demonstrates, as only a Nicholas Sparks novel can, the many ways that love can break our hearts...and heal them.



The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown 9/15
The controversial plot of his new novel, The Lost Symbol, has been one of the most guarded secrets in publishing history and is widely expected to focus on the mysterious Masons organisation.
But experts have criticised the author for 'twisting history' in the new book, in which the first U.S. President George Washington
is believed to be condemned as a traitor.

It is believed to be based on the idea the Holy Grail was taken to Scotland in 1368 by a Scottish Knight Templar, Henry Sinclair - the grandfather of the man who built the Rosslyn Chapel.
It features the symbol of the 33rd degree of the Scottish rite of Freemasonry, the highest rank within the craft in this country.




13 1/2 by Nevada Barr 9/29
In 1971, the state of Minnesota was rocked by the “Butcher Boy” incident, as coverage of a family brutally murdered by one of their own swept across newspapers and television screens nationwide.

Now, in present-day New Orleans, Polly Deschamps finds herself at yet another lonely crossroads in her life. No stranger to tragedy, Polly was a runaway at the age of fifteen, escaping a nightmarish Mississippi childhood.
Lonely, that is, until she encounters architect Marshall Marchand. Polly is immediately smitten. She finds him attractive, charming, and intelligent. Marshall, a lifelong bachelor, spends most of his time with his brother Danny. When Polly’s two young daughters from her previous marriage are likewise taken with Marshall, she marries him.
However, as Polly begins to settle into her new life, she becomes uneasy about her husband’s increasing dark moods, fearing that Danny may be influencing Marshall in ways she cannot understand.


The Perfect Christmas by Debbie Macomber 9/29
For Cassie Beaumont, it's meeting her perfect match. Cassie, at thirty-three, wants a husband and kids, and so far, nothing's worked. Not blind dates, not the Internet and certainly not leaving love to chance.
What's left? A professional matchmaker. He's Simon Dodson, and he's very choosy about the clients he takes on. Cassie finds Simon a difficult, acerbic know-it-all, and she's astonished when he accepts her as a client.
Claiming he has her perfect mate in mind, Simon assigns her three tasks to complete before she meets him. Three tasks that are all about Christmas: being a charity bell ringer, dressing up as Santa's elf at a children's party and preparing a traditional turkey dinner for her neighbors (whom she happens to dislike). Despite a number of comical mishaps, Cassie does it all—and she's finally ready to meet her match.
But just like the perfect Christmas gift, he turns out to be a wonderful surprise!

September New Books

The Missing by Beverly Lewis 9/8

Twenty-one-year-old Grace Byler longs to find her missing mother and to uncover the secret that drove her to leave them three weeks before. Grace suspects the reason has to do with her father and his reserved, uncommunicative ways. This conviction led Grace to break off her betrothal to her quiet, staid beau, and she is now resigned to remain single. But when the young Amishman she thought was courting her best friend takes a sudden interest in her, Grace is befuddled and wonders if he can be trusted. "Englisher" Heather Lang has come to Amish country to relive fond memories of her mother and to contemplate a grave medical prognosis of her own. While in Bird-in-Hand, Heather meets Grace Byler and the two young women strike up a fast friendship, amazed by how well they click. Following the only clue they have, Grace and Heather travel together in hopes of finding Grace's mother and bringing her home. Will they find what they're looking for...or something much more?



Blood's A Rover By James Ellroy 9/22
The violence begins with an unsolved 1964 L.A. armored car heist that will come to have major repercussions later in the novel, as its effects ripple outward from a daring robbery into national and international affairs. There's Howard Hughes's takeover of Las Vegas, helped along by Wayne Tedrow Jr., who's working for the mob. The mob, meanwhile, is scouting casino locations in Central America and the Caribbean, and working to ensure Nixon defeats Humphrey in the 1968 election. Helping out is French-Corsican mercenary Mesplede, who first appeared in Tabloid as the shooter on the grassy knoll and who now takes under his wing Donald Crutchfield, an L.A. peeping Tom/wheelman (based, curiously, on a real-life private eye). Mesplede and Crutchfield eventually set up shop in the Dominican Republic, where the mob begins casino construction and Mesplede and Crutchfield run heroin from Haiti to raise money for their rogue nocturnal assaults on Cuba. In the middle and playing all sides against one another is FBI agent Dwight Holly, who has a direct line to a rapidly deteriorating J. Edgar Hoover (the old girl) and a tormented relationship with left-wing radical Karen Sitakis, and, later, Joan Klein, whose machinations bring the massive plot together and lead to more than one death.


The Lost Art of Gratitude by Alexander McCall Smith 9/22
Isabel’s son, Charlie, is now of an age—eighteen months—to have a social life, and so off they go to a birthday party, where, much to Isabel’s surprise, she encounters an old adversary, Minty Auchterlonie, now a high-flying financier. Minty had seemed to Isabel a woman of ruthless ambition, but the question of her integrity had never been answered. Now, when Minty takes Isabel into her confidence about a personal matter, Isabel finds herself going another round: Is Minty to be trusted? Or is she the perpetrator of an enormous financial fraud? And what should Isabel make of the rumors of shady financial transactions at Minty's investment bank?

Hardball of Sara Paretsky 9/22
In her search for a black man who disappeared in 1967, Lamont Gadsden, Vic reconnects with some of her father Tony's old police colleagues; pays a prison visit to Johnny Merton, a notorious gang leader she once defended in her lawyering days; and tracks down Steve Sawyer, who disappeared following a murder conviction. Vic confronts an ugly period in Chicago's history, a peaceful march in 1966 by Martin Luther King that resulted in a white riot and the murder of a young black woman, Harmony Newsome. Digging into this ancient history stirs passions and fears of what secrets might be revealed. The apparent kidnapping of Vic's fresh-out-of-college cousin, Petra, who's come to Chicago to work on a senatorial campaign, raises the ante


Hothouse Orchid by Stuart Woods 9/22
When Holly returns home to Orchid Beach, Fla., where she was once chief of police, she's reunited with both welcome and unwelcome figures from her past. Renegade ex-CIA agent Teddy Fay, sporting a new identity, has chosen to settle in nearby Vero Beach. Lauren Cade, a former military comrade, is now a sergeant with the Florida State Patrol. Holly is shocked to learn that James Bruno, her former commanding officer who was tried and acquitted of raping Lauren and who once tried to rape Holly herself, is Orchid Beach's new police chief. Holly's not so shocked to learn that a serial killer and rapist is at work in the area.

There Goes The Bride by M.C. Beaton 9/29

James Lacey wandered over to the window of his hotel room. His fiancée, Felicity, was asleep. He was feeling some twinges of unease. What he loved about Felicity was the way she looked at him with her large eyes, appearing to drink in every word.
But on the plane journey, he wondered if she were listening to him. “The order to charge was given,” said James, “and a spaceship landed in the valley and some little green men got out.” “Fascinating,” breathed Felicity. “You weren’t listening!” “Just tired, darling. What were you saying?”

James heard a commotion down below the hotel. He opened the window and leaned out. A woman had tripped and fallen getting into a cab. He only got a glimpse but he was suddenly sure the woman was Agatha. A familiar voice rose on the Crimean air, “Snakes and bastards!”

Bossy, impulsive, yet hopelessly romantic, Agatha is dreading the upcoming marriage of her ex-husband, James Lacey. Although she has set her sights on a handsome and beguiling new Frenchman, she can’t quite stop obsessing about James.
Her best intentions to move on with her life are put on hold when James’s young bride is shot to death just minutes before saying “I do,” and Agatha is named the prime suspect. Agatha’s sleuthing sidekick Toni stands ready to help find the real killer, but the case proves trickier than ever.
Will her name be cleared, or has the outrageous Agatha finally had her last romp?

Rough Country by John Sanford 9/29

Virgil's always been known for having a somewhat active, er, social life, but he's probably not going to be getting too many opportunities for that during his new case. While competing in a fishing tournament in a remote area of northern Minnesota, he gets a call from Lucas Davenport to investigate a murder at a nearby resort, where a woman has been shot while kayaking. The resort is for women only, a place to relax, get fit, recover from plastic surgery, commune with nature, and while it didn't start out to be a place mostly for those with Sapphic inclinations, that's pretty much what it is today.

Which makes things all the more complicated for Virgil, because as he begins investigating, he finds a web of connections between the people at the resort, the victim, and some local women, notably a talented country singer. The more he digs, the more he discovers the arrows of suspicion that point in many directions, encompassing a multitude of motivations: jealousy, blackmail, greed, anger, fear. Then he finds that this is not the first murder, that there was a second, seemingly unrelated one, the year before. And that there's about to be a third, definitely related one, any time now. And as for the fourth . . . well, Virgil better hope he can catch the killer before that happens. Because it could be his own.

Apples Storytime

APPLES! APPLES! and more APPLES!!
Tuesday, September 8th

This summer the library and staff were fortunate to have guest story readers and the tradition continues today with guest reader Betsy Singer.







Children enjoyed coloring their apple trees.

Wednesday, September 9th

Library Director Bonnie reads stories about apples. The children helped her count the number of apples on the heads of the characters in the story. We also talked about their favorite apples and whether their like just eating apples or baking them in pies and crisps.

Children color their own apples trees and wow there were a lot of variation in the color of the apples.


More pictures of this and other events can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/kassonlibrary/